The Sun. — London, England, 1864-03-18 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT HOUSE OF LORDS--Last Evening.. The LORD CHANCELLOR took 121 a seat on the woolsack at the übual hour. PRIVATE BUSINESS• The Carnarvon and Llanberis Railway (No. 2) Bill was read a third tine and passed. THE M HOW COURT-MARTIAL. Lord CHELMSFORD referred to a notice that he had on the papers for to-morrow, for the purpose of calling the attention of their lordships to the part alleged to have been taken in the proceedings of the court-martial on Paymaster Smales, by his Excellency Sir W. Mansfield, and said after the discussion that had taken place he wished to withdraw that notice. Earl DE GREY and RIPON expressed his satisfaction with the course adopted by the noble and learned lord. BILLS OF EXCHANGE AND PROMISSORY NOTES (IRELAND) BILL. This bill was read a second time. MUTINY BILL. This bill was read a third time and passed. MARINE MUTINY BILL. This bill was also read a third time and passed. CONSOLIDATED FUND BILLS. The Consolidated Fund (£.584,6.50) Bill and the Consoli dated Fund (45 , )0,000) Bill were read a second time, and afterwards the orders of their lordships' house were sus pended, and the bills were then read a third time and passed, in describing the proceedings in Chancery as being a trial. He would have been happy to have corrected himself, but he felt bound to adhere to every rticular of his original statement, Mr. SHERIDAN, who frequently is rrupted the right hon. gentleman, repeated his pr.,: statements in substance at length. The adjourned debate on the Annuities 11 was resumed by Sir M. FARQUHAR, who moved that the measure be referred to a select committee. The lion, baronet argued that it was but fair that existing friendly societies, especi ally those which had been represented as fraudulent and bankrupt, should be heard before a committee of the house prior to the State undertaking to deprive them of the greater portion of their business. The amendment was seconded by Mr. HOUSFALL, who observed that the bill did not propose to amend the Friendly Societies Act, while it would take from them the best life assurances, leaving them with nothing but the sick fund and contributions from old members, from which little or no profit was to be had. Mr. 110DGKINSON and Mr. SALT supported the principle of the bill as likely to confer a great boon upon the working classes. Sir F. GOLDSMID and MT. GREGSON likewise spoke in its favour. Mr. SOTHERON-ESTCOURT (whose re-appearance, after his severe indisposition, was cordially welcomed by the house) said that if he were to consult his own feelings he would support the bill, but there were many portions of it which he thought the mature judgment of the house could not approve. Its operation would cease at that point where life assurance became profitable, and he hoped the Chancellor of the Exchequer would consent to refer it to a select com mittee, by whom the whole of the details might undergo the fullest consideratim. Mr. GOSCHEN approved of the bill, which he said would not interfere with the liberty of the working classes, who might accept it or not, just as it might plea , e them. The CHANCELLOR. of the EXCHEQUER said he could not on any account consent to have the bill referred to a select committee, who would consider the whole ques tion of friendly societies, but he had no objection to see it referred to a committee to consider the clauses in the usual way. Lord STANLEY approved of the compromise offered by the Chancellor of the Exchequer: The debate was then adjourned. MR. STANSFELD AND SIGNOR MAZZINI. Sir H. STRACEY moved " That the statement of the Procureur• General on the trial of Greco, implicating a member of this house and of her Majesty's Government in the plot for the assassination of our ally the Emperor of the French, deserved the serious consideration of this house." The hon. baronet said that, in bringing the motion under the notice of the house, he was not actuated by any animus against the hon, member for Halifax, and he only did so as an individual member, and because he felt that the dignity of the house had been assailed, and that the Government had not given the information which was due to the coun try upon so serious a question. But, to his surprise, on looking along the Treasury Bench, he did not see that member of the Administration who was chiefly concerned in this question. It was far from his disposition to take any one by surprise, but it was singular that the Government had not sent to the hon• member, and that he was not pre sent. [Mr. Stansfeld at this moment entered the house, and was cheered by the Ministerial side ; the hon. member took his seat on the Treasury Bench next to Lord Pal merston ] The hon. baronet then traced the history of the matter ; observing that on the first occasion when the hon. member for Finsbury (Mr. Cox) called Attention to the extract from the speech of the Procureur-General, the hon. gentleman entered into a considerable eulogy and panegyric on M. Mazzini, which was certainly uncalled for. The hon. gentleman on that occasion also said he felt astonishment, mingled with indignation, that his name should have been mentioned in the way it had been; and declared his conviction that M. Mazzini was incapable of assassination. The hon. baronet then read several passages from the published writings of M. Mazzini, to show that if he was incapable of assassination he was not incapable of instigating to assassination. The hon. baronet next ad verted to the statement in the Times respecting the note of an Italian revolutionary bank of which James Stansfeld, of 2, Sidney-place, Brompton, was the London agent. They ought to be told whether the member for Halifax had ever been connected with that No. 2, Sidney-place. The house had never had a straightforward answer to the charges made against the hon. member ; it had never been inquired whether Mr. Flowers and M. Mazzini were identical, and who was M. Fiori. It was not by a manifestation of indig nation that the members of that house were to be satisfied. (Hear hear.) Had the hon. member expressed his regrets, instead of displaying a confident and irritable manner, and swaggering tone•—(hear, hear)—the house would have been much more conciliated. It was due to the dignity of the Government of this country either to have demanded that the fullest information respecting the charges of the Pro cureur General, or at once openly to have repudiated them. Tb.e conduct of the Government in the matter would be re garded as un-English, and it would add to the ignoble humiliation under which the country was suffering. (Op position cheers.) In conclusion, the hon. baronet expressed his regret that he had been compelled to bring forward a motion which he felt might have the effect, at al events for a time, of imperilling the career of advancement on which the b‘ , ” (Cheers.) Lord C. HAMILTON seconded the amendment. Mr. STANSFELD, who, on rising, was received with cheers from tele Ministerial benches, said—lt is not my in tention to say one word in reply to the criticism of the hon. baronet upon the character of Mazzini. I have already ful filled that which I believed my duty in bearing testimony in regard to a man whom 1 have known for many years. So far, therefore, as I am concerned it is fitting that that discus sion should not be continued, and as far as I am concerned it is now at an end. I address myself to the motion of the hon. baronet, which appertains to me and my character. The very terms of that motion appear to me to justify the course which I pursued on the first night that the subject was introduced to the notice of the house. The hon. baronet, taking up the statement of theProcureur-General, moves— (The hon. gentleman read the terms of the motion.) Now, I put the same interpretation, right or wrong, upon the re marks of the Procureur• General which has been , ui by the hon, baronet. I hold in my hand a copy of the 2 bees of March 1, and I there find the statement of the Prooureur- General given in these words. (The hon. member having read the extract from the speech of the Procureur- General, which has been so frequently before the public, continued :) I must say it appeared to me that an imputation so odious, so utterly unsupported by evidence, was one which could only be met by a general denial ; but which, although general, 1 believe has been complete; and which, if accom panied by some expression of contempt and indignation, was yet no more so than what the House of Commons will have thought natural. (Hear, hear.) Now, sir, what is the evi dence of this crime. The hon. baronet has not read the evi dence, but he has supposed it was to the effect that Greco was directed to apply to some person at my address for money for the purpose of this plot. Why, sir, even supposing the letter found in Groca's possession was the production of Mazzini, that letter did not refer him to my address, but to another address for money, Upon him was stated to have been found a slip of paper, on which was written, it does not appear in whose writing," Mr Flower, 57, T hurloe- square." [An HON. MEMBER—" M. Flower."] That was the whole of the evi dence. The hon. baronet then refers to the '37 plot, and hints that I had been constituted by Mazzini treasurer to that plot. What is his evidence on that? There were two supposed extracts in letters from Mazzini zeferring all per sons in vague terms to my address for money if they re • quired it. That was the whole extent of the evidence as far as the Tibeldi plot was concerned. Now, I am willing to admit, with that evidence, he or any gentleman would have LIMITED ENLISTMENT. The Earl of DESART asked the Secretary of War whether the Government had made any preparation to meet the difficulty which seemed likely to ensue in conse quence of the operation of the Ten Years' Enlistment Act, Earl DE GREY and RIPON said it was the intention of the Government to hold out greater inducements to old retiring soldiers to re-enlistment. He was not in a position to state the precise terms which would be offered to the men. The matter had not escaped attention, and was now under the serious consideration of the Government. Lord HILL asked how the Government intended to carry out the proposed reduction in the artillery. Earl DE GREY said they intended to reduce the artillery by discharging only the bad characters in the different battalions, and in stopping the enlistment of new men. After a few words from the Earl of HARDWICKE, the subject dropped. IRISH CONSTABULARY. Lord DONOUGHMORE asked whether her Majesty's Government had in contemplation any measure for the reform and improvement of the Irish constabulary. Earl GRANVILLE said that the Secretary of State for the Home Department was in communication with the Irish Government with regard to the possibility of rendering it more effective as a detective body. After some observations from the Earl of Desart, Mar quis of Clanricarde, and Earl of Leitrim, the sbbject dropped, and The house adjourned at a quarter past seven o'clock. HOUSE OP COMMONS—Last Evening. I The Speaker took the chair at four o'clock. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The following bills were read a third time and passed : Ashton-under-Lyne and Stalybridge Water—Huntingdon and Godmanchester Gas—Lea Bridge District Gas—Lon. don, Brighton, and South Coast Railway (Kemp Town Station and Lines)—London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway (Ouse Valley Line)—London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway (Tunbridge Wells and Eastbourne Line)—Northfleet District Gas—Tunbridge Wells Gas— and Weston-super-Mare Pier. On the motion of Mr. C. FORSTER, the order for the second reading of the Metropolitan District Railways Bill was read and discharged, and the bill was withdrawn. PETITIONS. Several petitions were presented chiefly from Friendly and Insurance Societies, against the Government Annuities Bill, and from other bodies praying that the bill should be referred to a select committee, against any interference in the affairs of Germany and Denmark, in favour of the adoption of a Permissive Bill, &c. OFFICERS OF THE INDIAN ARMY. Sir C. WOOD said that no doubt the officers of the Indian army, as stated in their memorial, had great grievances to complain of, but in order to devise a measure to meet them great consideration was necessary, but he hoped shortly to be able to lay a bill on the subject on the table. SALISBURY CATHEDRAL. In reply to Mr. H. SEYMOUR, Mr. WALPOLE said that the report had been made by Mr. Gilbert Scott relative to the repairs of the spire and other parts of the Salisbury Cathedral, for which the Com mission ordered £lO,OOO. GOVERNMENT INSURANCE BILL. Mr, HANKEY asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to his proposed insurance of lives in c•melee tion with the savings banks, to state what is the amount of single premium proposed to be charged on the Insurance of £lOO on lives of the following ages, namely, 20, 30, 40, 50 ; and also the annual premium to be charged for insurance of ,LlOO on lives of the same ages ; and whether ne woutet Jay upon the table of tne nouse a pap,— .1-- above information ? The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said this was a question of great difficulty, but not impracticable, and would require the assistance of eminent actuaries as well as those employed by Government. NE W SOUTH WALES. Mr. W. MILLER asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies if advice had been received at the Colonial Office of the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales having followed the example of Canada, in imposing a heavy duty on British as well as foreign manufactured goods; and, if so, if that had been done with a view of protecting their own manufacturers, or fur the purpose of raising revenue bymeans of indirect taxation; and if he was aware of its being the intention of other communities in Australia to follow the same course in regard to their fiscal laws through their respective legislative bodies elected on the principle of manhood suffrage. Mr. C. FORTESCUE said that the Government of New South Wales had expended £900,000 in public works out of an ordinary revenue of £1,500,000, and in order to meet the deficiency caused had imposed an ad valorem duty on dit ferent articles, not for restriction purposes, but for revenue. SITE OF THE PATENT OFFICE. Lord A. CHURCHILL asked the First Commissioner of Works whether,taking into consideration the great incon veniences of the present Patent Office, it was the intention of her Majesty's Government, in accordance with the re commendation of the Parent Commissioners, to afford facilities for erecting suitable Patent Offices, including library and museums, &c., upon the site of Fife House, Whitehall, it appearing that the Crown lease of this pro perty had recently expired, and that the Commissioners of Patents have ample funds at their disposal for building purposes. Mr. COWPER said that the site alluded to was not at present available, and no site had yet been decided upon. THE TUSCALOOSA. Mr. PEACOCKE asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether he would lay upon the table of the house the opinion of the law officers of the Crown upon the subject of the Tuscaloosa, which was forwarded to the Admiral at the Cape of Good Hope ? Lord PALMERSTON said there were professional as well as political reasons why the opinion referred to, which was for the guidance of Government, should not be laid on the table. LUNATIC ASYLUMS (IRELAND). ( been justified in asking for explanation in a case of that Colonel GRE VILLE asked the Chief Secretary for Ire- kind; but I cannot conceive how any man, considering the land if he had received the resolutions passed by the grand evidence, could have been led to the conclusion which the juries of the different counties afficted by the changes pro- Procureur-General was induced to express in this case. posed in the district lunatic asylums; and if so, whether it [An HON. MEMBER—I deny that.] (Cries of "Order.") was the intention of the Government to persevere in the I was about to say that I did not think I should give any conteroclated changes ? other but a general denial to any statement of that kind, but Sir It. PEEL, said that he was not aware of any of the the circumstances of the case are now entirely cnanged Toe changes alluded to, but he would he happy to center with whole subject is in the possession of the house, on the mo the hon. member on the subject. tion of the right hon. baronet. I have therefore no hesita- STSB-INSPECTORS OF FACTORIES. lion or difficulty . , and I do not consider there is any indig- Col. EDWARDS asked the Secretary of State for the nity, in offering any explanation to the house which the Home Department, with reference to the statements made house may think requisite, or answering any question by him on the subject of the memorial of sub inspectors which the house may think desirable. Let me take the of factories, and the recent increase of their sa ,- statement of the Procureur. He states I was a person laries sanctioned by the Treasury, whether it was placed in correspondence with Greco. Now, neither by intended to convey to the house that the sub- L etter nor personally, neither directly nor indirectly, had I inspectors' salaries had been raised to 1700 per annum evt le communication with that person, nor did I know of his after certain years of service ; and, if not, wheth rhe would ex i s t e -else, nor, until I saw the report in the paper, even his state the exact nature and extent of the change sanctioned name . , I Cries of " Oh, oh," " Question," and l o ud cheers.) by the Treasury ? back to the case of Libaldi. M. M azz i n i h as Sir G. GREY said that he had n o t ma d e any scale ate such No w,ri y let vo u i s b ni outa ....ily written to the press to s t a t e th a t th ere as that alluded to, but it was proposed that the salaries was no suc h f un d ~, r such plot, and of course h e h as never should be raised gradually to £5OO a year. e treasurer of it. It is hardly necea- THE DA.NO-GERMAN CONFERENCE. ich I now say very distinctly, that In reply to L )rd R. MONTAGU, a sa s y ke i d or m m e e to to b s e a c y om th e a t t h wh , vanced any money for any such Lord PALMERSTON said that he had already whatever, to persons who stated that Prussia, Austria, and other European powers I purpose, neeer h o e r l d for the . f a u n n y d spourr purpose a a w g it p h or t a ll on at al eo i n n s ti p m ir a a c c y y. wi l th t is a had agreed to the conference, and they had reason tc onewere hengagtedh,a,nvocohnandecatiolonn. believe that ,!, Denmark would also consent. He hoped ra t ' I another thing to be :;upposed to be implicated that a conference, when the question at isoue would be dis- . an! and another • • cussed, would lead to an armistice. (Hear, hear.) —whether of a character which will bear investigation, or in his undertakings—(derisive cheese from the Opposition) THE PLOT FOR ASSASSINATING THE EMPEROR of a character attributed to me. The lion, member has re- OF THE FRENCH. Sir 11. ST fiA CEY asked the First Lord of the Trea• ferred to th e t r i a l o f Orsini, a nd has said my n al .e was im plieated in that tri a l. Ido no t know how t o re p l y to that sury to allow the motion which was on the paper assertion, because this is the first time I havd heard my name to have precedenc e of the orders of the day, connected with it. (Oh, oh, from the Opposition , !allowed L or d PALMERSTO N', who did not at firs t reply to t he by cheers from the Ministerial benches.) If the hon. question, said he had no command over the orders of the baronet will adduce any evidence or make any statement, I day. ' am ready to answer it. (Cheers.) The hon. baronet has Mr. DISRAELI was surprised to hear the noble lord referred to the loan notes. In 1860, immediately atter the state that he had no command over the business of the fall of the Roman republic, I was requested to allow my house on a Government night. name to be placed upon the back of those notes, as a refer- Lord PALMERSTON repeated his statement, but added ence to persons who might apply to take them, their object that he w as rea d y t o g i ve the motion precedence of the Penal being to aid in the objects of Italian unity and independence. Servitude Act Amendment Bill, which was on the paper. Now, lam quite ready to admit I consented that my name THE GOVERNMENT ANNUITIES BILL. should be so used; but in a few weeks I saw reason to The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER entered consider the propriety, and even legality of that step, and into an elaborate statement of figures and facts to prove thought I was justified i n t aking counsel, and asking the that he was quite corr ec t i n what he asserted relative to the opinion of an old friend of mine, an eminent member of the British Provident Society, and the only mistake he corn. legal profession (Mr. Sergeant Manning,) Taking his of ft technical character, and witted - was merely consisted advice, I requested that my name should be withdrawn im- mediately from those documents. (Cheers.) I have no thing further to state to-night. These are the simple facts as far as I know them, as far as I am interested in this matter. If there is any other question occurring to the mind of any hon. member, I am perfectly ready to answer. I have no hesitation in answering any question that is asked. (Cries of No, no, from the Opposition.) The hon gentleman here appeared to be about to resume his seat, but, as if recollecting an omission, he resumed; I have omitted one important part, the question of the use to which my house has been turned, as a natural consequence of intimate personal relationship, to which I never for a moment hesitated to acknowledge. M. Mazzini's letters, the house will understand, have not been able to reach him for many years, if addressed in his own name. He has therefore asked his various English friends, of whom I am one—(loud cheers from the Opposition, followed by counter cheers from the Ministerial benches)—to allow letters to be addressed to their houses, Letters for him have been addressed in that way to him, and among others letters have been addressed to him under the name that has been mentioned here. (Loud cheers from the Opposition.) They have been addressed to my house under the name, amongst others, of " Signor Fiori." (Cheers.) I need not say that the name " Flower," as the house will easily un derstand, is a translation of the Italian name " Fiori"— (derisive cheers)—but I have made inquiries, and I do not believe any letter for Mazzini has been addressed to my house in the name of Flower. (Derisive cheers.) I en tirely admit at the same time that it is not advisable, and it is not fitting, whatever may be the contents of Mazzini's correspondence, that his letters should be addressed to the residence of the person occupying the position I now oc cupy. (Hear, hear,) But it has not been necessary for me to make any representation on this subject to Mazzini. He has volunteered to me a statement that he has taken measures to prevent his correspondence being ad dressed to my address. (Loud cheers from the Opposition.) I have contented myself with stating facts. I say Ido not think any one can dispute the truth of what I say. I have no knowledge of these transactions to which the hon. mem ber referred, and I now leave this question without further remark. (Cries of "Oh I oh I" and cheers.) Lord H. VANE had heard with great regret the expla nation brought forward by the hon. gentleman. He ad mitted that explanation was much more satisfactory than the one he afforded the other night—if that could be called an explanation—(Cries of " No, no," from the Opposition) —which was simply a defence of M Mazzini. The house had nothing to do with the character of Mazzini. They had certainly had no right to defend it , they had no right to go against the whole moral sense of Europe. (Cheers,) It was a mistake to suppose that this sense of the principles of M. Mazzini was confined to the Imperialist party in France. He could say, from personal knowledge, that none upheld his principles except it were the remnant of the party of '93; for even the republicans, the former supporters of General Cavaignac, revolted against the principles of Mazzini, and repudiated the idea of asoociation with a man so held in abhorrence throughout Europe. (Cheers.) No one had suspected that the hon. member was himself guilty of participation in such a horrible plot ; but no one could deny that the hon. gentleman had been guilty of great imprudence, according to his own admission that night, in allowing letters to be addressed to his own house for Mazzini, when he could not be cognisant of the nature of that correspondence. He thought the French people, the French Chamber, and the French public had a right to complain of such conduct on the part of a member of this house, who had now been drawn into the admission that he had dropped all connec tion with Mazzini. (Cries of No, no.) The house had nothing to do with personal friendship, but had a right that such friendship should not compromise that house, should not compromise the Government with which the hon. member was connected, and should not compromise the people of England. (Cheers.) Lord H, LENNOX had shared in the indignation and astonishment at the speech of the Procureur-General; but the statement of the hon. member astonished him when he said that he heard for the first time that night that his name was implicated with Mazzini. [Mr. STANSFELD— I said Orsini.] The noble lord proceeded to say that the name of the hon. member for Halifax appeared in the acts d'accusation on the trial of Tibaldi in 1857, and was fol lowed by Mr. P. A. Taylor, who avowed a long and inti mate friendship with Signor Mazzini, and stated that his house had for years been placed at the disposal of Signor Mazzini for the reception of his Continental correspondence. Sir J. PAKINGTON next rose, and, after expressing his opinion that the explanation offered to the house by the hon. member was not satisfactory, asked the noble lord at the head of the Government whether any expla nation had been offered by her Majesty's Government to the Government of France with respect of the speech of the Procureur-tieneral. Lord PALMERSTON then rose amid loud cheers, and said—Nothing undoubtedly can be, generally, more pain ful than personal discussions in this house. At the same time, I cannot express any regret that the hon. baronet has brought this subject forward, because it has drawn from my hon. friend a declaration which, differing from the right hon. baronet (Sir J. Pakington), I think perfectly satisfac tory—(cheers, and cries of " Oh")—becauso it gives a denial, an absolute and total denial, to the only charge which has been insinuated against him, viz., having any cognisance whatever of the plot. The right hon baronet asks me whether her Majesty's Government has deemed it right to mafra any Primmunirati in to the Government of France on a passage in the speech of an advocate in a court of justice in France ? Why, sir, no. (Loud cheers.) We have no right to take cognisance of what takes place in a court of justice in France with regard to matters wi,ich are brought before them. If there was an opinion that anything which passed upon that occasion amounted to a charge againsr, my hon. friend that he had any connection, direct or indirect, with that transaction. the answer to that imputation and insinuation was given to the world by my hon. friend in this house, and that was a sufficient refutation. (No, no, from the Opposition.) But I will freely own that I Mould have felt humiliated if I had had to be a party to a communica tion to the Frdnch Government, telling them that an Eng lish gentleman—a member of Parliament, holding an office under Government—was not connected with an infamous plot. (Hear.) I congratulate the hon. gentlemen opposite on the feelings and sentiments which seem to actuate them on the present occasion. (Cheers and counter cheers.) We have been told that the imputations, false as they were, of the Procureur-General have excited the indignation of the French nation, and that something is due to the feelings of France as an atonement for the suspicion they entertain that something or other has taken place in this country which indirectly, if it does not acquiesce in, at least amounts to a disclaimer from participai ion in the attempt which has been made. We have been reminded of ISSB. There was then an attempt actually made on the life of the Emperor of the French, Well, what did the Govern. ment do at that time ? We spontaneously proposed to the house a measure which was intended to prevent the recur rence of such attacks. (Loud cheers and counter cheers.) Hon. gentlemen opposite publicly and formally expressed their approval of that measure—(renewed cheers)—but when they thought that a combination of circumstances and an absolute abandonment of their own opinions might lead to a change of Government, they threw over their promises, cast their indignation to the winds, and objected to that to which they had formerly declared their adhesion, and re fused that satisfaction which they now seek. (Cheers and cries of " Question.") Well, sir, I say that the language which they use on the present occasion against a member of the Government needs no explanation beyond his own de nial. With regard to my hon. friend, I say that, if I thought that for a moment that he could have had the slightest par ticipation in the transaction to which the discussion of this evening alludes, I should have represented to him that it would be more becoming that he should cease to be a mem ber of the Government. (Cheers.) But I have not done so, because I know my hon. friend is incapable of such an action. (Cheers.) Therefore, sir, I say that I do not regret the motion of the hon. baronet, because it has afforded to my hon. friend an opportunity of repeating the disclaimer which I think he male sufficiently on a former occasion. If, how• ever, that was not deemed satisfactory, the statement he has made to-night ought to be a conclusive reason why the motion of the hon. baronet should not be acceded to. (Loud cheers.) Mr. DIS RAELI confessed that he was disappointed at the tone which had been taken by the noble lord, who had had a golden opportunity of extricating the house from a very painful position. The noble lord, however, had taken refuge in that vein to which he was too accustomed. He thought it unfortunate that the noble lord, imme diately after saying that he would submit to no act of humiliation, calied attention to the circumstances of 1858. As to the President of the Board of Trade, surely some re• gard might have been had to the feelings of an absent man. The noble lord ought to have been ashamed of attacking by inuendo a man so distinguished. (Opp ,sition cheers.) The noble lord's remarks proved that he did not understand the very point upon which the decision of the house was asked, Let us see what occurred. The Procureur-General — the Attorney-General of a great country—publicly stated, in a court of the highest consideration in France, to the effect that a member of Parliament had been the medium by which Mazzini communicated with the conspirators against the life of the Emperor. Did the hon. member for Halifax deny the statement? Why, he (Admitted it. (Loud Opp°- , ition cheers.) He did not deny that these letters did come, and that his house in Thurloe-square was the medium of communication between Mazzini and his correspondents. Mr. STANSFELD—What correspondents ? Mr. DISRAELI—What correspondents? You know them better than I do. (Cheers from the Opposition.) What correspondents? Why, the assassins of Europe. Renewed cheers.) The right hon. gentleman proceeded to say that it was the universal feeling throughout the coun try that the dignity of the house had been compromised, and he was sorry to add that, after the expressions used by the noble lord, the Government had been compromised also. His hon. friend had, in no spirit of unfriendliness to the noble lord—(laughter)—given him an opportunity of com ing forward and asserting that he would take those steps which a person in his exalted position could easily do to re move the extreme apprehension and the great and growing disquietude which this affair has occasioned. The noble lord had only to say that after the statement of the hon. member for Halifax he felt he should feel it his duty t o p l a ce himself in, communication, by which at least regret isht expressed ) that even IthconseieuslY THE SIN, LONDON, FRIDAY EVENING, MARCH 18, 1864. one who was a Minister of the Crown had been made the medium and machinery for the correspondence of assassins and conspirators. As, however, the noble lord would not assert the dignity of the house, the how. ought to assert its own—(cheers)—and in order to do so he saw no other course open to it than to support the resolution of his hon. friend. (Loud cheers.) Mr. BRIGHT wished he could persuade himself that the excitement of hon. members opposite had so good a founda tion as might be built upon a strong anxiety to preserve friendly relations with France, and to maintain the honour and character of that house. (Cheers.) He discerned in the temper which they manifested very different motives, which led him to believe they were not in a condition to take a very impartial and just view of this case. He did not say that the circumstances were not calculated to excite some surprise and dissatisfaction, but let them not be unjust and ungene rous to a member of that house. (Hear, hear.) For many years past great enthusiasm was felt among considerable classes of the people in this country in favour of political re fugees of Poland, Hungary, and Italy, who were forced to flee from the oppression and wrongs of the Governments under whom they had lived. He had never himself shared in the enthusiasm felt for such refugees, because he thought it was calculated to embarrass the Government of this coun try, and to embarrass English diplomacy abroad. But still he should be ashamed of himself if he had never felt sym pathy for those refugees ; and if any man in thathouse stood up and said he had never felt political sympathy for those refugees, he should despise him too. (Hear, hear.) They had a refugee from Hungary long resident in this country) and they had several Italian refugees; and would any man stand up in that house and say that those exiles were not deserving of sympathy? Ho believed that there was no man acquainted with Mazzini who would not say that he entertained a profound devotion for the freedom and in dependence of Italy. (A voice from the Opposition benches—" He is a blackguard.") He did not rise to de fend Mazzini, but the stories read about him to-night took place thirty years ago, when he was, probably, only 25 years of age ; and at such an age many persons were apt to indulge in enthusiasm. Did hon. member. on the other side want to be the helpers of the Paris police, and add fuel to whataver fire existed there, and exasperate the feeling which prevailed in France ? and did they believe in the sincerity of their leader when, with simulated horror, he spoke of the transaction in Paris? (Hear, hear, and laughter.) Or was it their object, which was hardly less worthy, to worry the existing Government? He need not say that he was no partisan of the present Govornment ; and evsr since a short time after its formation he looked with anything but dismay to its dissolution. (Laughter.) But if he was as hungry as the hungriest to place himself upon the Treasury bench, he should be ashamed to make his way to it o ver the character, the reputation, and the happiness of the last-appointed and youngest member of that Govern ment. (Loud cheers.) Lord R. CECIL said there would have been no vehement prosecution of the matter upon the side of the House but the irrevelant topics introduced by the noble lord at the head of the Government. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, at the risk of being dull, should confine himself to the judicial features of the discussion. He never saw M. Mazzini ; he did not participate in his opinions with respect to Italy ; but he was bound to declare that he never encountered any class of men who did not accord to him the possession of great talents, force of character, and perfect truthfulness. (Hear, hear.) It was not wise to consider very minutely who had intercourse with this or that man in a foreign country; the danger of such intimacies had been sufficiently pointed out. But, on the other hand, the freedom and right of private judgment which belonged to Englishmen should be upheld. No doubt it was the duty of the hon member for Halifax to have made himself certain of M. Mau.ini's opinions, and to have refused h'm the command of his house for purposes which were concealed from him. Well his hon. friend, a man implicitly to be believed, asserted that ho had done so, and that, from years of intimacy with M. Mazzini, he was enabled to conclude that he was utterly incapable of the charges brought against him. On the other hand, he would put it to the house whether the statements of the Procureur-GCintlral were etetitled to their strict con sideration. His duty was to raise the case to the very highest against Greco and M. Mazzini, and it was outside his province to take a calm and dispassionate view as to men or circumstances. That he sail without casting the slightest imputation upon the French Government. But, on that account, these matters ought to have been made the subject of a full and searching judicial investigation before they were brought under the consideration of that house. Coming now to the issue directly before them, he asserted that it would have been impossible for the hon. member for Halifax to have met the charges brought against him in a more direct manner. (Ministerial cheers.) God knows, he was not indifferent to any feeling which might exist in France against England, but as to the existence of which he entertained great doubts. Nor was he insensible to the claims which the French Emperor had, not only upon the friendship, but to the respect and cordial good-will of Eng lishmen. Still, it was nut because they danced in those feelings that the Government declined to accept the motion of the hon. baronet. (Cheers.) After some observations from Lori C. lIA.)LILTON and Mr. Cox, The house divided. The numbers were— For Sir 11. Straeey's motion Against it Majority against This declaration of the nucab,as was received wish loud cheers by the Ministerial B:de of the house. THE DANISH QUESTION. Lord PAL NIERS roN appealed to Mr. B. Osborne not to bring forward his motion respecting the Danish question which stood for this (Friday) evening, on the ground that, in the present pisitien of the negotiations, the discussion would be very injurious to the public service. Mr. B. OSBORNE at first declined to do so, and said that he would leave the matter in the hands of the house bat, after some remarks from Mr. Disraeli and Lord Pal mer,ton, the hon. gentleman consented to withdraw his motion. The Warehousing. of Briish Spirits Bill was passed through committee pro forma, and the remainder of the business having been disposed of, The house adjourned at ten minutes to two o'clock. COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL, A meeting of the Court of Common Council was held yesterday in the Council Chamber, Guildhall. The Lord Mayor presided. THE SHEFFIELD CALAMITY. Mr. H. N. PHILIPPS, in allu ling to this sad catastrophe, said he would not expatiate upon the sad details of that melancholy occurrence, as each day brought from the neigh. bourhood fresh details of desolation and distress ; and the accounts as they appeared, instead of showing that the first description was ovar-painted, continued to furnish fresh in stances for public benevolence. He had been in communi cation with the mayor and town-clerk of Sheffield, and it appeared that not only had numbers of people lost their lives, but the flood had passed through the different streets with such devastating power as to reduce the inhabitants to the direst distress, not only rendering destitute the artisans, but others who resided there, and who gave them their em ployment. A public meeting had been held at Sheffield, and it was stated that 250 persons were known to have perished, and the condition of the surviving sufferers was such as no report could afford an idea of. Not only had lives been lost, but an immense amount of property had been destroyed, and nothing but destitution and misery reigned around. He was sure he should have the unanimous approval of the Court, when he said it was a case which called for public benevolence, and one on which the Corporation of London should stretch forth a helping hand. He should move— " That this Court do contribute the sum of 400 guineas in aid of the sufferers by the recent inundation in the neigh bourhood of Sheffield." One of the members from behind called out "make it £500," upon which there was a strong manifestation in favour of the larger amount, and Mt. Philipps said he had named the sum he had mentioned in the motion feeling sure that he should west with no opposition tor th a amount, and he desired to have a unanimous feeling in the matter ; but if the Court thought fit to suspend the standing order he should most certainly support the larger sum. A show of hands was taken in favour of the suspension of the standing order, and the motion, which was seconded by the chairman, with the substitution of £5OO for four hundred guineas, was unanimously agreed to. THE PROJECTED CITY RAILWAYS. Mr. Deputy L ott b r ug ht u p a report from the Special Railways Commi t t ee , with the draft of petitions to the House of Commons, prayi nt: t h a t t h e y w ill suspend for this session all legislation on the subject of proposed railway schemes coming into the city, and that amendments may be made in the Lands' Clauses Consolidation Act, and the Railway Clauses Consolidation Act. Mr. Deputy LOTT moved the adoption of the report, which was agreed to. THE HIGH BAILIFF OF SOUTHWARK, A report was brought up 0 - Mr. IL N. Philipps, from the Officers snd Clerk s Committee, ' "Oa the reierence to in quire into any circurostancesaffectiug the fitness of William Gresham, Esq., to fill the office of Bailiff of the Borough of Southwark." The report was discussed with closed doors, but the result was that Mr. William Greslam was re-elected to fill the office of High Bailiff of Southwark. PETITIONS. Mr. FRED. R. CARMEL presented a petition from the in• habitants of the parish of St. Michael, Bassishaw, praying the court to take into consideration the various railway schemes proposed to be carried into the City of London, with a view to their being postponed, and in order that measurer , may be taken to prevent such schemes as are not absolutely necessary for the convenience of the public being carried out. The petition was referred 10 the special railway committee. Mr. Alderman PI/ULU; gave notice of the following motion to be brought forward by him at the next court : "That the thanks of this 2,orporation be respect fully ten dered to Sir Moses Mantefiere, Bart., for the signal services rendered by him to the cause of humanity by missions under taken by him to various couttries, in relief of those oppressed for their religious convictions, and more especially for his journey to Morocco, to solicit from his Imperial Majesty the Emperor of that country that nia Jewish, and Christian gni). jects should be relieved from all civil and religious disabi lities. "That the foregoing resolution be ornamentally written, framed, and glazed, and presented to Sir Moses Montefiore Upon reading the resolution the alderman was hailed with loud cheers. Mr. J E. SAUNDERS submitted the following motion, which had been some time on the business paper—" That the Commissioners of Sewers having during the last year in curred an expenditure of £20,843 in improving and widening Tower-street (11,0,630), Fenchurch-street (£6,642), Bull and Mouth- street (L 1,450), Paternoster-row (£4200), and Up per Thames-street (£919), it be referred to the Improve ment Committee to inquire and report what sum or sums, if any, they would recommend this Court to contribute to wards the cost of the said improvements." The motion was seconded by Mr. STE WART and agreed to. Mr. ANDERTON moved, "That it be referred to the Mar kets Committee forthwith to examine and cause to be sur veyed the present state and condition of Farringdon-market, and report to this court whether, in their opinion, any, and if any, what repairs are required to be done; and whether any improvements and alterations can be made in its con struction, to make it more advantageous for letting; and whether or not it is advisable to grant leases of any of the lettings, and make such further report thereon as they (the committee) may seem desirable, with an estimate of the pro bable cost of any proposed repairs and alterations." Mr. RUDKIN seconded the motion, and suggested that the Markets Committee should be empowered to confer with the Improvements Committee. Mr. ANDERTON had no objection to the suggestion, and the motion, with the addition, was agreed to. The Remembrancer (Mr. Corrie) reported the following bills in Parliament :—A bill on the forfeiture of lands and goods in convictions of felony, and a bill to make provision respecting the use of subways, constituted by the Metropo litan Board of Works, which were referred to the Law, Par liamentary, and City Lands Committees. Some other business was transacted, and the Court ad journed. Naval and Military Intelligence. THE NAVY. The following are the new regulations, dated the 18th of March inst., for the information of officers wishing to attend the Levees of the First Lord of the Admiralty : " In future the Levee book will be kept in the First Lord's private office, and officers are requested to app►y by letter to his private secretary, stating at which the Levees they desire to be present; bu► applications should not be made until the Levees are actually announced. Agents applying on be half of a client must send to the private secretary a memorandum written by the officer himself (to be retained in office), stating the day on which he wishes to be present ; and care should be taken that the rank, Christian names, and seniority of the officer be correctly and clearly given. It is to be distinctly understood that if an officer (without good reason) does not appear upon the day which he has specified he cannot be received at any subsequent Levees during the year." The Duke of Somerset, as First Lord of the Ad miralty, held a Levee yesterday afternoon at the Admiralty, Whitehall. The undernamed officers attended :—Rear-Admiral Sir Stephen Lushington, Rear. Admiral Warden, Rear-Admiral F. Bullock, Capt. J. Napier, Capt. Francis Marten, Capt. J. E. Berton, Capt. R. B. Pearse, Capt. H. S. Blomfield, Capt. A. De Horsey, Capt. H. L. Lacon, Capt. J. A. P. Price, Capt. the Hon. G. H. Douglas, Capt. T. P. Thompson, Capt. J. C. Heat.lcp, Capt. H. S. Hillyar, C. 8., Commander A. P. Arkwright, Com mender G. W. Towsey, Commander J. B. Scott, Commander W. C. Forsyth, Commander P. H. Dyke, Commander F. H. Stevens, Commander Thos. Creser, Commander F. Cannon, Commander R. Wells, Lieut. Thomas H. Greer, Lieut. J. F. Prowse, the Rev. G. Jackson, Mr. J. Colwell (Pay master in Chief), and Mr. John Elliott, surgeon. The War Department transport Marlborough went alongside the Ordnance-wharf at Chatham yesterday, and landed the remainder of the hollow and solid cast iron spherical and Armstrong shot from the Ariadne, 26, 800-horse :power, Captain Vansittart, which is now being dismantled at the Nore, previously to being paid off into the third division of the Chatham Steam Reserve. The Armstrong and other guns have been landed at the Chatham gun-what f, and the powder and shell placed in store at Upnor Castle. By directio❑ of the Admiralty every exertion is used in completing the repairs of the paddlewheel steamer Terrible, 21, 800-horse power, and fitting her for the first-class Steam Reserve at Chathanyin readiness for immediate commission, as her services are required to relieve one of the ships ordered home. Admiralty orders have been received at Chatham for every exertio❑ to be used to expedite the com pletion of the boilers now being prepared in the factory at Sheerness, as they are required for the new machinery about to be erected in connexion with the operation of iron shipbuilding at Chatham. The Pigmy, paddle, Master Commander Vine, arrived at Portsmouth yesterday morning from Ply mouth, Dartmouth, and Portland with a i.umber of supernumeraries from the Britannia, a few naval prisoners from the Channel fleet, and men belonging to tiie Prince Consort who had been left behind when the ship sailed. The Prince Consort, steam ironclad, Capt. G. 0. Willes, having shipped a quantity of stores and pro visions for the Channel fleet, will leave Spithead this morning, taking also supernumeraries and men be longing to the ships at Portland returning from leave. The iron steam storeship Buffalo, recently com missioned at Woolwich, was yesterday handed over to the authorities of Deptford to be used as a vic tualling hoy. The military invalids reported as having arrived in the Himalaya, were removed yesterday to Netley Hospital by the Sprightly, paddle-wheel steamer, Master Commander Allen. • The time-expired men were landed at the dockyard, whence they were forwarded to the depots of their respective regi ments. In the naval and military intelligence of yester day read as the name of a naval cadet Arthur Mal colm Corrie, instead of Arthur M. Come. The following appointments were made yesterday at the Admiralty :—Sub•Lieut. Arthur Bloxsome, to the Hector; and Robert L. Mayne, nominated to a naval cadetship. Benevolent Society of St, Patrick, Yesterday being St. Patrick's Day, the 81st anniversary festival of this society was celebrated at the Freemasons' Tavern, Great Qaeen-street, Lincoln's-inn-fields, under the presidency of Major-General Viscount Templetown, C.B. The attendance was not so numerous as it was wont to be in years gone by, and the enthusiasm which was awakened during the evening was not of such a character as to lead to the belief that the majority of the company were tree sons of the Hibernian soil. The shamrock was not so conspi cuous as is usual on this occasion, and the general feeling of nationality did not display itself in those outbursts of patriotism which are generally associated with gatherings of the Knights of St. Patrick. The benevolent object of the meeting, however, was never lost sight of, and when the girls and boys who are receiving their education in the schools made their appearance, according to custom, they were greeted in a manner which showed that they were surrounded by some of their best friends. The guests at the principal table included the Earl of Courtown, Sir H. H. Bruce, Bart., M. 1%, General Down, Mr. Morgan John O'Connell, Mr. Hamilton Geale, Mr. C. M'Garel, Mr. W• Newton, Mr. C. Latouche, Dr. O'Connor, .Bco. The chair man, in giving the toast of the evening, made an earnest appeal to the company on behalf of the society, and a report presented from the sub-committee, which showed that the schools continue lull to their utmost capacity, and, as in former years, the 500 children they contain have been edu cated and clothed, and during the winter months provided with a daily meal at the society's expense. This latter is an additional boon which has only been conferred of late years, and it is on 3 which has proved most beneficial to the recipients, many of whom depend in great measure on the meal they receive in these schools. In so large an estab lishment, however, this measure necessarily involves a very considerable increase in the expenditure of the charity; but the sub-committee relied with confideace on the liberality of their supporters, conscious as they were of the endeavour's which the society continued to make to improve the condition of the labouring Irish population of this city. The subscriptions announced by the secretary, after due honour had been done to the toasts which bore more par ticularly upon the interests of the society, amounted to abo• t £6OO. The musical arrangements ware under the able direction of Mr. Land, who had secured the assistance of several members of the London Glee and Madrigal Union, repre sented by Miss Eyles, Miss J, 'Wells, Mr, W. Cummings, and Mr. Winn. In the course of the evening the band of the Irish Volun teer Rifles performed a variety of national airs under the superintendence of Mr. Cowen, and the majority of the songs sung by Mr. Land's corps of vocalists ware either Irish melodies or were based upon subjects suggested by Irish traditions. SPIRIT OP THE PUBLIC JOURNALS. TIMES.—The House o. Commons could not fail to take turther notice of the unpleasant question which has been raised by the reflections of the Procureur- Imperial upon a member of the House of Commons and of the Government. The explanations given had been se unsatisfactory, the course which had been pursued so unworthy of the occasion, the con duct of the person principally concerned had exhi bited so much forgetfulness of what was due to the Government, to the House of Commons, to the coun try, and to himself, and the tone adopted by the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs had been so uncourteous to the Emperor of the French and so contrary to the most obvious claims of :interne tional usage, that a general feeling of discomfort and restlessness on the subject had taken possession of the public mind. It was not that any one doubted for a moment that perfect explanations were forth coming, Whatever might be the truth about the letter found among Greco's papers, apparently in Mazzini's handwriting, directing the conspirators to apply for money to Mr. Flower, 35, Thurloe , square, Brompton, it never entered any English- I man's head to believe anything about it, except that it was either' intolerable folly or intolerable imper tinence in Mazzini to have at any time given the address of an English gentleman to such miscreants; and that a gentieman who could be so unwise—to say nothing else—as to put it into the power of Mazzini to drag his name and address through the mire of Continental revolutionists was very natu rally punished by getting them bespattered. But it was just for this very reason, because explanations were so easy, because the matter might have been so readily disposed of, that explanations ought to have been given, and a disagreeable affair got rid of at once. Above all, it was felt that a course had been adopt , d with respect to the Emperor of the French which was inconsistent not only with the respect due to a great Sovereign and a great nation, but even with the courtesy commonly observed eet ween private persons. Mr. Stansfeld, theretore, ig entirely beside the mark in maintaining a tone of indi . ;:nation at what hecalls" an odious imputation." No odio'!is imputation whatever has been made upon nine in this country, and it is not credible that the Procureur-Ica p , , yial can have intended by the words he used, to convey any such imputation as Mr. Sainsfeld repels. No doubt the ready sycophants of Imperial pomer have caught at an opening for adulatory declamation, and have used language which we writ resent if it were worth resenting. But it is impossible that a personage of the high position, character, and responsibility of the late Procureur-Imperial can have intended to insinuate such imputations against a member of the Rigish House of Commons and of the Government of her Majesty. Such imputations could not have been made without the evidence of facts which would not only have justified the French Govern ment in demanding, but would have compelled them to demand, an immediate investigation. All such imputations, therefore, are out of the question; and we repeat that it is Mr. Stansfeld, and Mr. Stans feld alone, who has introduced them into the dis cussion. But what the Procurear-Imperia , did reflect upon was the fact of a gentleman in Mr. Stansfeld's position allowing himself to be connected with persons who were capable of being involved in schemes of such a nature ; and we do not see how it can be denied that he had sufficient evidence to justify such a reflection. Let it be remembered that the main facts upon which his observation was founded have been admitted now by both Mr. Stara feld and M. Mazzini. It is not disputed that letters have been addressed to M. Mazzini at Mr. Stans feld's house under feigned names, and the particular address contained in the conspirator's letter appears to have been one of them. Moreover, though the particular observation about Mr. Stansfeld's connec tion with a supposed Tibaldi Fund was not true, it has been made sufficiently evident by the bank-note which was forwarded to us the other day that he has at former times allowed himself to assist in the pecuniary arrangements of Italian revolutions. Now, to put out of question M. Mazzini's own opi nions, which are not so material to the point at issue as they have been represented to be, can it be considered by any reasonable man that M. Mazzini's correspondents in the revolutionary party abroad are so entirely free from the object and disposition of political assassination that it need be matter of surprise if some of the communications which reached him should be from very suspicious charac ters and of a very questionable nature? Here, for example, we find beyond all question that he has been in communication with Greco, the infamous principal in the recent plot. Could Mr. Stansfeld, in short, have any right to be surprised if he were to find that his house had been made the channel tor the most compromising eemmunications ? And when he hid laid himself open to this danger of his own accord, is it at all reasonable for him to rise to a height of moral indignation at the occurrence of the natural consequences of his own rashness P Does he not, on the contrary, owe every apology to those wnom he has, from want of proper consideration, brought into a most upleasaut position, as well as to the great Sovereign in an attack upon whose life the same carelessness has allowed his address to be made use of ? W e are really unable to understand the obli quity of natural feeling which still res , rains him lion] expressing his deepest regret to the House of Commons, the Government, and the country for having given occasion to their being placed in such an unpleasant position in the eyes of the French people; and to the Emperor of the French for having made it possible that anything connected with tam could be turned to such an iatamous pur pose. It' he had done this, 'and had, before any pressure was put upon him, taken the step which he has now .aken to prevent the recurrence of such an ~,fair, the inexperience of younger days would nave been all twed to excuse his rashness. But he has made it impossible for the matter to be so passed over, and the least that can be said is that be has displayed such an amount of folly as almost con stitutes culpability. We regret very much tuat the Government, in their determination to defend a colleague, have not taken a more generous view of their reiation to the Emperor of the French in the matter. A simple explanation of the facts of the Case would have removed every excuse for the un worthy language which has been used in France on the subject, and we are unable to understand the squeamishness of dignity which has prevented their making allowance for and explaining away a very natural misconception. The insinuations of an enemy for a malicious purpose may be rightly spurned, but reflections proceeding from a friend, and made " in eadnees," deserve consideration, and true honour and self-respect would have anticipated the suggestion. At the same time it does not make matters better to use a question of this sort for a party stalking-horse. The Opposition by taking it up as a party question urged the Minis terial side of the House into a mere attitude of counter assertion. It would have been more fitting if both sides of /he house, putting aside any party views, had combined to express a proper and spontaneous regret at the misconception and errors of conduct which have been displayed in the matter. This unpleasant affair does not end as we could have wished it to end for our character as a considerate and generous nation. The Emperor of the French, however, and the French nation may be satisfied that the people of this country, whose judgment is undisturbed by the conflict of Parliamentary par ties, view the matter very differently, and they feel that the reserve and confidence with which he has treated this unfortunate occurrence deserved a more generous return. POST.—By the latest intelligence from America it appears/ that at the beginning of the present month an opinion was in process of rapid formation among the Federals that disastrous failure, equally speedy and complete, had overtaken the spring cam. paign both in Virginia and in the west. The plan of these ill-starred enterprises seems to have been in substance as follows. The Federal Gen. Sherm in. and others holding commands in the army of the west, of which Gen. Grant is the Commander .in- Chief, were to manoeuvre in such a way as to induce Confederate Gen. Johnston to divide his forces oy the necessity of covering the points threatened by the Northern troops. Admiral Farragut was to co- 0 - p;r - at - e with his fleet, and make a demonstration al. Mobile to further distract the attention of the Con tederates on the side of the coast. In concert with these movements Federal Gen. Thomas was to move upon Dalton and Atlanta with a body of 35.000 men. I t wa s anticipated Gen. Johnston would divide his irmy to meet these several movements, and that the reserves of the Federal forces would attack his dis persed army, and, in co-operation with the troop,. previously thrown forward, capture, or destroy it. Such is a n outline of the projected campaign in the south-west, so far as it can be gathered from the meagre details before us as we write. This plan Gen. Johnston, as it appears, has been able entirely to frustrate and defeat. The movements of Sherman and Grierson, as well as Farragut's demonstration, are stated to have been little else than feints, and the land forces employed do not seem to have been in much more danger than the fleet. The first-men tioned (Sherman) is reported to have marched back as fast as he could to Vicksburg, whence he came. Federal Gen. Thomas, however, was not so fortu nate. He seems to have come into sharp collision with Johnston's army on the 23d, 24th, and 25th of last month, the immediate result being the loss of a housand min in killed and wounded, and the ulti mate consequence a somewhat hasty strategic move ment to the rear. It was not to be reasonably ex pected that so wary, experienced, and vigilant a c ommander as Gen. Joseph Johnston was likely to be caught in such a clumsy trap. No sooner was it set for him and brought within reach than he recc e nised it at once, and broke it to pieces with the greatest facility and despatch. Admiral Farragut's "demonstration" at Mobile has therefore demon' strated nothing but the complete inutility of the enterprise. It this is a foretaste of Gen. Grants quaim y as a strategist and Commander-in-Cnief of the armies of the west, it tends to confirm the theory that his former victories were due to gee" graphical circumstances, and that, when be is Do longer close to a river with a fleet of gunboats at his back, the spell of his success is broken. The Southern generals probably understood what they were about, and saw that it would be better to wait for him in their present position than waste their strength in contesting the possession of Vick burg, where the flotillas of the Mississippi won'd place them at so great a disadvantage. Animas derived his strength from the earth, but the Northern giant, in his struggle with the compare tively diminutive South, derives all his strength from the water. Once at a distance from the rivers and the sea, he finds that his little foe is more than a match for him. The Confederacy, it must be confessed, appears more vulnerable in the west i than in the north, where Richmond seems n as little danger from capture by Gen. Meade as I f, it were a town in France or Germany, instead 0 1 being the capital of the Confederate States of North America; but still it is not improbable that the superior generalship of the Southern leaders may hold the Federal armies in that onarter so effectual* ? in check as the grand army of the Potomac has been held by Lee. The campaign in Virginia has.ended• almost as soon as begun, in signal and ignominious failure. It, seems that Gen. Kilpatrick had been despatched with a large body of troops on an extra ordinary errand to Richmond, going through by' ways in order to get behind it unawares. This must have been a promising enterprise. We are told be "found it impossible to reach Richmond," so he wended his way back as fast as he could, and sought shelter and repose within Gen. Butler's lines. As for' the army of the Potomac," that is described as being "at its old position at Brandy Station," where it is likely to remain, saferand quietly, !f somewhat ingloriously, until Gen. Lee shall find it convenient to beat up the quarters of Gen. Meade, or whatever other general may happen to command it a month or two hence. Gen. Meade himself was not with his army when the last advises left, having been summoned to Washington to hold a consulta tion with the President and the chief of the War Department. So stood matters at the despatch of the telegrams from New York on the sth of this month. The Ides of M ,rah do not appear to be etvourable to the Cm err of the White House. The sudden and utter collapse of the campaign in Vir' ginia and the west would seem to indicate far greater weakness on the partof the North, or strength on the part of the South, than appeared to be pro' bable before proved by experiment We never thought that the progress of the Federal armies 10 the west was likely to be very eonsilerable. The farther the Northern armies are able to move onward into the South, the farther they will be from their base, from whatever quarter they may advance ; the greater will be the danger of their communications being cut Off, and the more will the Southern forces be concen trated, while their own will be proportionately thinned and weakened. Still we had a right to expect from the Federal army of the west something different from what the last news tells us it has been doing, or rather suffering. Heretofore, though the Federals have been beaten severely on the Potomac, and have made hardly any appreciable progress even in the west when away from their gunboats, still they have fought great pitched battles. But they now seem to have adopted a hope' less strategy of feints and retreats. They make sham attacks, and only escape being cut to pieces by keeping out of danger, and making rapid sera. tegic movements to the rear, However, there is at least the consolation that there is not likely to be much bloodshed in this pacific method of conducting campaigns, by which war will happily be shorn of its terrors. But as the Federals are not likely to restore the Union by this novel system of tactics, would it not be the best way " to leave the South alone" at once, and let their "erring sisters" go in peace? More "raids in the (Erection of Richmond," torpidity, dormancy, paralysis on the Potomac, feints in the west, impotent operations at Charleston, still more impotent "demonstrations" at Mobile, and a new organisation of slavery at New Orleans, will never conquer the South and restore the Union. COUNTRY MARKETS. MANCHESTER-THURSDAY. A thin attendance to-day at market, and English wheat met with a limited demand at the currency of this dal' week. Foreign wheat was neglected, and unchanged in price. Indian coin firm at former rates. Flour met with with an exceedingly dull pale, at late prices. Oats and oat meal were very dull, and unchanged in value. English beans the turn in favour of buyers, but Egyptian sorts ad• vanced 6d per qr. BIRMINGHAM-THURSDAY. This morning there was a short supply of English wheat, and the prices of this day se'nnight were about realised• —English wheat was sold at 40s to 463 for white, and 36 1 to 40s per 36 stone for red, Barley, new malting, 308 to 38s per qr ; grinding, 24s to 28s Oats, old, 22s to 30' per 30 stone ; Irish, 188 to 245. Beans, 34s to 40s per qr. Peas, 32s to 42s per 36 stone. MONMOUTH—WEDNESDAY. The local markets have been fairly attended during the week, and quotations are as follows .-- Wneat, white..4s 9d to 5s 6d Barley, 3s 2d to 3s 9cl Ditto red. .0s Od to Os Od I Oats ... ..2s2dtd 2s 6d • EDINBURGH GRAIN—MARCH 16. To. day there was a large supply of wheat, which met a slow sale, at barely last week's prices. Barley met a good sale, at Is advance on former rims. Beans a ready salu' 04ts sold slowly, and 6d dearer. Wheat on the top 4s 6d down average la 6d down. Barley on the top lOs Od up average Os 6d up. Oats on the top 086 d down average Os 2d up. Beans on the top 3s Od down. average Os 9d up. Avei age Prices. Wheat.. 36s Od I Oats. 2os 8 ,1 Barley .. 29s 8d Beans 32s 6d Total Supply and Sales. Wheat ...1287 qrs Sold 883 qrs 8ar1ey........ 851 qrs Sold 736 qrs Oats Beans 295 qrs Sold 216 qrs Flour sells as follows :—Whites, 39s Od; extras, 37s Od i superfine, 35s Od ; fine, 33s Od. CLOCK MAKING.—" Benson's great piece of clock woOg is certainly a marvellous achievement in click making , both as regards the workmanship, and its capacity under difficult circumstances for time measuring."—Meelaanice Magazine, Sept. Ib, 1862. Clocks by the first artists of the day for the drawing room, dining room, bed room. library, hall, staircase, bracket, carriage, church, turret, railways , warehouse, counting house, musical, and astronomio l • Church and turret clocks specially estimated for. Beuson'e illustrated pamphlet on clocks (tree by post for two stamps) with descriptions and prices, enables those who live in any part of the world to select a clock. Also a short pamphle t on cathedral and public clocks, free for one stamp. Fri° medal and honourable mention in classes 33 and 15. J.'' Benson, 33 and 34, Ludgate-hill, London. Establishe d 1749 Watch and clock maker by special warrant of sr pointment to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales. [ADvErmsExENT.]—Consumption, all nerTol.lB, liver, and stomach complaints, id every stage, are only a gravated and accelerated by drugs of every description, bit perfectly curable by Du Barry's health restoring Revalent s Arabica Food, as proved by thousands of cases which fle d been considered hopeless. We quote a few.—Cure No. 62,00' Miss Lange, 18 years of age, cured after the medical men had abandoned all hopes of her recovery from the last stage of pulmonary consumption, with fearful cough, expectoration ., exhaustion, spitting of blood, perspirations, hollow cheeks. emaciated to a skeleton. She is now, thank God, a perfectly healthy, blooming, fleshy girl.—N. Lange, Commissaire rla Police. Cure, No. 46,270. Mr. James Roberts, of Erin) leY Surrey, of hirty years' diseased lungs, spitting of blood, llf e r derangement, and partial deafness.—Cure, No. 47,121. MI S. Elizabeth Jacobs, of extreme nervouvess, indigestion -, gatherings, low spirits, and nervous fancies.—Cure, 14° ' 54,816. the Rev. James V. Campbell, Pakenham, Nortol/r, of indigestion and torpidity of the liver, which had resisted all medical reatment. In tins, 11b, 25 9d ; 21b, 45 6d; 5117 2 11s; 121 b, 225; 241 b, 40s. Barry du Barry and CJ., No. 7 ", degent-street, London; also For t num and Mason ; and all grocers and chemists in every town of the United Slagdore• Births. GRAY.—On the 16th inst., at Darcy Lever Hall, newt Bolton, the wife of Captain W. Gray, M.P., of a son. HILL.—On the 16th inst., at 25, Chapel-street, Park lan e ' Lady Hill, of a daughter, stillborn. HARVEY.—On the 17th inst., at Rathgar Cottage, Strew' them, the wife of Chas. Harvey, Esq , of a daughter. MAJOR.—On the 16th inst., at Gothic Villa, Putney, g ll ' W. Wreford Major, of a daughter. Marriages. BERRYMAN—BRODIE.—On the 16th inst., at Marylebon e :, John Berryman, Esq., M D., of St. J o h n , N . 8., to Idar4 Anue, third daughter of Geor g e Si ac l a i r B ro di e , Esq - Pembridge-equare, London. HALE—THOMAS.—On the 17th inst., at Saint BarnabilOt Kensington, Mr. Thomas H a l e , of Essex Villas, lss i; late Mr. to Caroline Charl o tt e , on l y d aug h ter o f the 46- t Mr. John Thomas, sculptor. Deaths. P t o BRIGGS.-0a the 15th i ns t., su dd en l y, a t Burry -1' I Carmarthenshire, Thomas Briggs, Esq., aged 53. Wife BOUVIER.—On the 16th i ns t., at Kensington, *pat WI of Jules Bouvier, Eq. FORD.—On the 16th inst., at Blackheath, Mr. Eu - Atr ara Ford, aged 38. r e GANILEN.—On the 14th i ns t., a t D aw li s h, Eli za b e th, 1 , of the late Th omas G am l en , E sq., of R ayne Pi" -- Tiverton, Devon, aged 92. KENT.—On the 15th inst., at Levant Lodge Earl's Cr ooule, near Upton-on-Severn, B. G. Kent, Esq., aged 8 3 . ea r TILLEY.—On the 15th inst., at Fivehead Cottage, Laugport, Somerset, Commander James Tilley, I t ' aged 83. London : Printed and Prblialied by WILLIAM AND V l ' 'I2, of No. 112, Strand. Printer, at TuE Su Office '“ 1 ; 1 of Strand, in the Precinct of the lavoy, ,11 the C gl/11 aLutueoex.—FriclAy, Alarcl4 18, 180 f.